The Hiding Place is considered the highlight of the tour at the Corrie Ten Boom House. It’s the secret room built into a bedroom where Jews and others hid to escape the Germans during the occupation in World War II. It’s also the only place in the tour where visitors can grab pictures, so during my recent visit, I had to take a take a moment to snap a few photos and even scramble inside using the hidden door. I stood in the narrow space occupied by six people when the Germans raided the house on February 28th, 1944. Though the Ten Booms were arrested that day, those hiding in the wall miraculously escaped a few days later.
But, as I listened to the Ten Boom’s story, I wondered if this room was really the highlight. It was certainly where some of the dramatic action unfolded, but much of what happened there flowed from what took place in another parts of the house, like the dining room. Corrie in her book, The Hiding Place, said, “To me this room with its single window looking into the alley was the heart of the home.” This was where the family and visitors gathered for meals, not just from the kitchen but from the brass-hinged Bible father Casper would open each evening. Corrie called this time of Bible reading a “fixed-point” from which life in the house revolved. Then, there was the livingroom directly above the Ten Boom clock shop. This open room hosted the weekly prayer meeting centered on the “peace of Jerusalem.” Corrie’s grandfather Willem had started this regular prayer meeting in 1844, a hundred years before the dramatic events unfolded that day in February. One such prayer meeting was actually taking place when the German’s raided the house.
Fellowship with God through the Word and prayer may not be the stuff of action-packed thrillers, but they are foundation from which actions follow. Many prayers had been raised to the Lord from which the Ten Boom family and others received wisdom in how to act, how to help. Paul understood this in his exhortation to the Corinthians. As he relates to them some of his own recent trials, he adds, “You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many.” (II Cor. 1:11) That’s an exhortation I’m asking you to consider as we partner with those around the globe who are sharing Christ with children. Your prayers on our behalf are not insignificant because they are made to our Heavenly Father who is pleased to answer and to guide our actions.
We recently began a monthly prayer guide for BVI which highlights some of the work we are involved in around the globe. Please sign up. “You also must help us by prayer.”